Youth protection: in it together

Youth Protection

We’re in it Together!

Rick Istead D5360, CanadaSofia Sotomayor D4100, Mexico

Youth Protection – We’re in it Together!

Policy

Readiness

Education

Training

Incident Response

Resources

Youth Protection – RI Code of Policy

Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth

Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible

environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians,

Rotarians’ spouses and partners and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of

their ability the welfare of, and to prevent the harassment and physical, sexual, or

emotional abuse of, children and young people with whom they come into contact.

RI Code of Policies 2.100.1


Volunteer Selection and Screening

Careful selection of all individuals involved in Youth Exchange should be of

paramount concern and be done with the utmost care and consideration.

All adults (Rotarians and non-Rotarians) involved in the Youth Exchange program,

including but not limited to committee members, host families, club counsellors,

and others, must be interviewed to determine suitability to work with youth,

complete and sign a Youth Volunteer Agreement and agree to undergo background

checks, including law enforcement public record and a reference check.



Volunteer Selection and Screening

The host club or district must conscientiously screen and select host families on the

basis of a written application, background checks for all adults in the home,

including law enforcement public record checks and reference checks, personal

interview and home visits.



Volunteer Training

All adults (Rotarian and non-Rotarians) involved in the program, including but not

limited to committee members, host families, club counsellors and others must

receive training that includes information on program administration and rules and

abuse and harassment awareness and prevention.


RI recognizes that all young people have the right to live free fromharrassment, bullying and abuse.

It ensures that RI has created and implemented specific plans andprocedures to secure the well being of all young people participating inour programs.

It ensures that all Rotarians and volunteers involved in youth activities,are trained and carefully selected.

It confirms Rotary International’s commitment to provide a safeenvironment to youth.

Youth Protection – What does it all mean?

1) More than half of all youth allegations of sexual abuse turn out to be false

True

False

Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

2) While sexual abuse is a serious issue, it is less likely in Rotary Youth Programs than in any other youth programs around the world.

True

False


Youth Service Volunteers

Any adult involved with any of Rotary’s Youth Service Programs who has direct

interactions either supervised or unsupervised, with youth is considered a

volunteer. Volunteers include, among others, Club and District YEX Program officers

and committee members, Club Counsellors, Rotarians and non-Rotarians and their

spouses or partners who host youth for activities or outings or who might drive

students to events or functions on a regular basis and host parents and other adult

residents of the host home, including siblings and other family members.

Youth Protection – District 5360 Policy

All volunteers interested in participating in any District 5360 Youth Service

Program must;

Fill out and submit a Rotary Youth Volunteer Application form

o This form is now available on-line through the YEAH database

o This form requires the individual to supply the names and contact

information for three (3) personal references (no family members,

maximum 1 Rotarian)

o The District policy indicates that Youth Volunteer applications are valid for

two (2) years


Youth Protection – Volunteer Screening


Program must;

Have a valid and current Police Background Check for working with youth,

which also includes Vulnerable Sector Screening.

o Police Background Checks are available through your local police force.

o Police Background Checks are valid for a period of five (5) years.

o Volunteers who have had their Police Background Check expire must re-

apply should they wish to continue to participate in any of Rotary District

5360’s Youth Service Programs.


Youth Protection – Police Background Check


Program must;

Must participate in and pass the NAYEN on-line Youth Protection Awareness

training that includes information on bullying, harassment and abuse.

The District policy indicates that the NAYEN on-line Youth Protection Awareness

training is valid for two (2) years.



All Mexican Districts are commited to consider a priority to protectthe security and wellbeing of all youth and shall not tolerate anyharrassment, bullying and abuse.

All claims will be taken seriously and shall be resolved according to RIguidelines

Districts shall keep themselves updated about local laws regardingharrassment and abuse.

All Districts shall appoint a Youth Protection officer.

3) Teenage victims of sexual abuse may be reluctant to report it because they feel responsible

True

False


4) It is important at all times to know the difference between abuse and harassment, because it will guide you in what you report to Rotary.

True

False


Identify your Youth Protection “Champion”

Build your Youth Protection Team

Develop your Youth Protection policies

Build your internal procedures to manage your program

Education

Training

Data capture

Gain District support

Youth Protection – Readiness

5) Most sexual abuse or harassment of people under 18 years of age is done by strangers.

True

False


Educate your internal audiences about your Youth Protection policies and procedures

Ensure internal audience understanding and gain buy-in

Have Youth Protection resource material readily accessible

It’s critical to “walk the talk”

Youth Protection – Education

6) Adults in Rotary Youth Programs are obliged to take appropriate action peer-to-peer abuse is suspected.

True

False


Reach out for advice

RI

Regional organizations (NAYEN, EEMA, ABIJ)

Other Districts and Clubs

Develop training program and materials for;

Volunteers

Host Families

Exchange students

Training records

Youth Protection – Training

Youth Protection – NAYEN Training

Rotary is doing its job to keep you safe, but you are …

Living a long distance away from family and friends

Living in unfamiliar surroundings

Living in a different culture with different cultural norms

Living in a country with different rules

Learning to communicate in a different language

You need to do your part to …

Be Safe – “Be Street Smart”

Youth Protection – Student Training


Don’t talk to

strangers!Don’t trust people

that give you gifts

without reason.

Don’t provide

personal

information to

strangers.

Never get into a

car with people

you don’t know.


Before you leave

home, make sure

you have your

personal

identification.

Keep the address

and phone number

of your host family

with you at all

times.

Make sure to tell

your host family

where you are

going and let them

know if plans

change.

Keep your cell

charged and with

credit to make a

phone call.

7) When receiving a report of abuse from a student in Rotary Youth Programs, all of the following are important: 1) To remain calm. 2) To gather the facts. 3) To make a written record 4) To get the other side of the story from the alleged perpetrator.

True

False


It’s not a question of “IF”, it’s a question of “WHEN”

Youth Protection Incident Report Response Team (YPIRT)

Incident Response Procedures

Incident Response Reporting

Youth Protection – Incident Response

When an allegation is reported:

Listen as calmly as possible, gather facts, support and protect thestudent.

Do not make any judgements or accusations, just LISTEN and TAKENOTES.

Contact appropriate authorities.

Report to host and sponsor District’s YEP Chair, Host District’s YPO,Host District Governor and RI YEP offices within 72 hours.

Assist the student to report the incident to his natural parents, ifpossible talk to them yourself too.



COUNSELOR

Club YEO/President

DISTRICT YEP CHAIR

YOUTH PROTECTION OFFICER

District Governor

STUDENT


Youth Exchange Incident Report

Instructions: Complete the following report leaving no field blank. If a question does not apply to this situation, please enter “NA.” Incident reports should be emailed or faxed to RI (email: [email protected]; fax: +1-847-556-2182). After submitting the report, please continue to update Youth Exchange staff as further information develops.

REPORTER INFORMATION

Reporter’s Name: Title/Role:

District: Telephone(s):

Date & time of report: Email:

ALLEGED VICTIM INFORMATION

Last Name: First Name:

Host District: Host Club:

Sponsor District: Sponsor

Club:

Age: Citizenship:

Host Family Name & Address:

Host Family

Phone:

ALLEGED OFFENDER INFORMATION

Last Name: First Name:

Relationship to the youth named above:

Role/Title:

Club name (if Rotarian):

Other Parties Involved: (contact information)

SUMMARY

Date and time of incident:

Please provide details of the incident:

Rotary International District 5360


Make sure the student receives all the counselling and supportneeded.

Rotarians should not speculate, make any comments to the mediaand should be cautioned regarding the consequences of defamation.

If the alleged abuser is a Rotarian, they should be removed from allcontact with the victim and other youth.

In the event that the student’s natural parents decide that thestudent continues with their exchange, written authorization shouldbe requested.

Provide student the option of an independent non-Rotariancounsellor.

Cooperate with legal authorities.

8) All of the following procedures help prevent youth abuse and harassment: 1) Background checks, 2) Volunteer Affidavits, 3) Volunteer training, 4) Getting a detailed sexual history from each student.

True

False


Youth Protection - Resources


Rotary District 5360

POLICY FOR YOUTH PROTECTION

THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE &

HARASSMENT


9) In order for students to report abuse we must assure them complete confidentiality.

True

False


10) Every adult who has a volunteer role in Rotary Youth Programs, must indicate in writing, their understanding of and agreement to adhere to the Rotary Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth.

True

False


Government & Nonprofit

Youth protection: in it together